Q&A: Millstone site vice president Stephen Scace

Monday

Sep 3, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 3, 2012 at 3:20 AM

Millstone Nuclear Power Station has been a very busy place since Stephen E. Scace returned as site vice president in January. The Waterford-based station plans to move more spent fuel into dry cask storage and is applying to the Connecticut Siting Council to increase its number of dry cask receptacles to 135 from the current 19. The station’s Unit 2 reactor was shut down Aug. 12 after cooling water from Long Island Sound became too warm. The reactor returned to full power Aug. 25 after water temperature dropped to 72 degrees — 3 degrees below the legal limit. Engineers are also studying the use of a new type of fuel in Unit 2 and modifying the reactor’s deep water pool. Scace said he plans to end his nuclear industry career as Millstone’s top on-site manager.

JAMES MOSHER

Millstone Nuclear Power Station has been a very busy place since Stephen E. Scace returned as site vice president in January. The Waterford-based station plans to move more spent fuel into dry cask storage and is applying to the Connecticut Siting Council to increase its number of dry cask receptacles to 135 from the current 19. The station’s Unit 2 reactor was shut down Aug. 12 after cooling water from Long Island Sound became too warm. The reactor returned to full power Aug. 25 after water temperature dropped to 72 degrees — 3 degrees below the legal limit. Engineers are also studying the use of a new type of fuel in Unit 2 and modifying the reactor’s deep water pool. Scace said he plans to end his nuclear industry career as Millstone’s top on-site manager.

Q: Millstone has been very busy since your return earlier this year. Is this coincidence?
A: Mostly. We’ve undertaken a number of routine actions. We’re getting ready for a Unit 2 refueling in the fall, which is in keeping with its schedule. The temperature problem with Long Island Sound was certainly unusual. We’ve handled things pretty well.

Q: You’re speeding up movement of spent fuel into dry cask storage and building more dry cask storage. Why?
A: The (deep water) pools are not designed to be the permanent homes of the fuel. The more fuel that gets used the more we have to distribute it. Creating more dry casks give us additional room for fuel (in the pools). We hope to begin building more dry casks in about 18 months. It’s certainly a long-term solution ... an NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) solvable solution.

Q: The plant could use recycled fuel if not for a government regulation, correct?
A: New York State had an organization that dealt in reprocessed fuel. It is rather cost intensive. Also, the United States doesn’t allow it because plutonium is produced through the process and that gets into the area of non-proliferation.

Q: All three of Millstone’s reactors are scheduled to be decommissioned in 2045. Is there a possibility the plant will continue to operate past that date?
A: We’re certainly looking at it. We have to deal with reality. It would require significant investment. The licensing process is rather onerous here in the Northeast and there’s much less growth (in demand). Also, the (electricity) demand is greater in the Southeast and the regulatory process there is less difficult. For the next 10 years we plan to work with the NRC in discussing these matters.

Q: Did the earthquake-caused nuclear disaster in Japan change things at Millstone?
A: It changed the whole industry. It’s prompted greater understanding of seismic activity. The NRC is encouraging us and others to look at and revise our seismic models. We’re gaining more expertise. Fortunately, nuclear plants are designed with a lot of safety margins. Japan has prompted us to have more diverse locations. We’ve purchased equipment and are deploying it widely. It’s important to have more diverse means.

Q: Millstone is one of Eastern Connecticut’s largest employers. What’s the job outlook?
A: It’s a pretty stable workforce in terms of numbers, We have a number of approaching retirements so we’re going to be hiring to replace them. We have added operators and will continue to do so. I would describe our employment outlook as very healthy.

Q: Are you happy to be back at Millstone?
A: Yes, I’m very happy to be back. This area is clearly home to me and my wife. It’s a great place to end my career. I’m really enjoying it.